The American Red Cross of South Carolina responds to an average of six home fires every day. This spring, Red Cross volunteers will "Sound the Alarm" by educating 100,000 people nationwide about home fire safety.

"Home fires remain the most frequent disaster during COVID-19, yet most of us don't realize we have just two minutes to safely escape," said Tony Reid, Regional Disaster Officer of the Red Cross of South Carolina. "As families spend more time at home during the pandemic, it's critical that we help our vulnerable neighbors protect themselves from these everyday disasters."

The Red Cross is preparing families to act quickly through its year-round Home Fire Campaign and springtime Sound the Alarm efforts. Since the launch of the national Home Fire Campaign in 2014, the Red Cross of South Carolina has helped save at least 78 lives by helping families create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms. This critical work is made possible with regional partners, who have helped make more than 25,000 statewide households safer in at-risk communities.

During Sound the Alarm, volunteers will meet virtually with families by appointment throughout South Carolina to review fire safety for their household and practice their two-minute fire drill. Families interested in learning how to make their home safer can request a virtual appointment at redcross.org/sc.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE Help protect your family against home fires by taking two simple steps: Practice your two-minute escape drill and test your smoke alarms monthly. Visit SoundTheAlarm.org for more information and to pledge to prepare your family against home fires.

• Create an escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor's home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
• Practice your escape plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.
• Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
• Check the manufacturer's date of your smoke alarms. If they're 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced. Follow your alarm's manufacturer instructions.

Help Families Impacted by Home Fires: The American Red Cross responds to an average of six home fires everyday in South Carolina. In many cases, the families impacted lose everything. You can help support these families by providing them the financial assistance they need for a place to stay, food and clothing. Become a Hometown Hero and Adopt a Family by clicking here or visting www.redcross.org/HometownHero.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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